Abstract: A system for diverting an optical component signal from a multiplexed optical signal includes an optical communications channel having a first portion and a second portion. A multiplexed optical signal having a plurality of component signals may be transmitted through the optical communications channel. Each component signal lies within a different optical bandwidth. The system also includes a branch optical channel having a first section and a second section. A signal diverter that optically couples the first portion of the communications channel to the second portion of the communications channel directs a diverted portion of the multiplexed optical signal into the first section of the branch optical channel. The signal diverter also allows a non-diverted portion of the multiplexed optical signal to propagate into the second portion of the optical communications channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for looping-back an optical signal in an optical communications system includes a transmitting station and a receiving station optically coupled to the transmitting station by a transmission fiber and reception fiber. Data is transmitted from the transmitting station to the receiving station through the transmission fiber and is also transmitted from the receiving station to the transmitting station through the reception fiber. The apparatus includes a beam splitter having an input port, an output port and a tap port, operationally coupled to the transmission line. The beam splitter is capable of diverting a preselected beam portion of an optical data beam being transmitted through the transmission fiber to the tap port. A tap fiber that is operationally coupled to the tap port allows the preselected beam portion to propagate therethrough. An optical analyzer, optically coupled to the tap fiber, regenerates the preselected portion, thereby creating a return beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling attenuation of optical signals routed through a matrix switch capable of optically coupling a selected transmission station of a plurality of transmission stations to a first port and optically coupling a second port to a reception station includes a first variable attenuator that is optically coupled to the first port so that an optical path length exists between the first variable attenuator and the transmission station. The apparatus includes an optical analyzer that has an input port and an output port. The input port is optically coupled to the variable attenuator and the output port is optically coupled to the second port. Thus, the input port is coupled to the first port through the first variable attenuator.

Abstract: In a frequency-controlled optical switching system, a first light source generates a data signal having a first wavelength. A second light source generates a control signal having a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength. A first wavelength division multiplexer, optically coupled to both the first light source and the second light source, couples an optical signal received from the first light source and an optical signal received from the second light source onto a single optical fiber. A second wavelength division multiplexer, optically coupled to the single optical fiber and spaced apart from the first wavelength division multiplexer, separates a signal having the first wavelength from a signal having the second wavelength. The second wavelength division multiplexer couples the signal having the first wavelength onto a second optical fiber and couples the signal having the second wavelength onto a third optical fiber.